Myth Becomes Reality

Using ancient techniques coupled with contemporary tools and ideas, I bring artifacts from the shadows of myth and dream into the light of day.

Illustrations

As an illustrator and contemporary visual artist I'm inspired by ancient artifacts and material culture.

Concept Art

I design objects and ornamentation to create authentic culture for imaginary worlds. My concept art draws on twenty years of experience in interpreting and re-imaging ancient material culture and mythology.

Public Speaker

I have made presentations as an expert in ancient swordsmithing and material culture at conferences in the UK and across the US and Canada.

Swordsmith

Over my 20 year career as a professional swordsmith I've learned to forge, cast metal, carve wood, tool leather, and create swords informed by historical research at museums, and a deep love of ancient culture and myth.

Jake Powning

I'm a contemporary artist, swordsmith, concept designer, and storyteller exploring the roots of European mythology.
Here you can find a portfolio of my past work, swords, drawings and digital paintings, and read my blog which is full of images of my work, stories, and tutorials about how I make some of the things I make.

Here is an interview I did a few months back with Joseph Parker, it was used to create this cool infographic about how to build your own iron throne. Use this Infographic to Build Your Own Iron Throne | Mental Floss. General Questions How did you become interested in …

Here is the teaser trailer for a Viking Age game I’ve working on the concept art for. I designed the bind-runes and some of the material culture. See if you can pick out my work. it goes by pretty fast! Check out the official website here thefrostrune.com by by

Anvil translated from its early root anfilte roughly means “build-on” — the object which the smith builds things on. The anvil is the altar at which the smith shapes the world; it has a kind of magical appeal. It is solid and massive. It is a symbol of weight and …

I filmed this with help from my dad (Peter Powning) and a tripod back in 2009. It demonstrates some of the process of making the Viking sword Vardhllokur. It was edited by the good people at Galatia Films for the special features of the movie “Reclaiming The Blade”. If you’re …

The hills are black, the sky a dim line along the horizon. Snow falls. It collects beside the stones and then blows on. The wind rises, tugging at his beard. He has devoted his life to unfolding the mysteries of the dark mother. He knows her hidden name, has walked …

I’ve been working on layers of projects, drawing, designing, writing proposals, figuring out steel and leather. Part of what I’m doing has involved looking back, examining the hoarded images I have and evaluating my career as a swordsmith. I found this picture of Peter Johnsson and me tracing and measuring …